When you think about Ladakh which is called the heaven of earth, what comes to your mind first? Heavenly bluish sky and lakes, cold deserts, majestics mountains with meandering rivers, snow covered roads and friendly local peoples who welcome you into their hotels and homes with disarming warmth and smiles.
This place is one of the sparsely populated region of Jammu & Kashmir, situation between the Kunlun mountain range to the north and the great Himalayas to the south. Ladakh's local language is Ladakhi which means "the land of high passes". Since 1834 it was a part of Tibet when it was anexed by majeste of Jammu.This place is one of the beautiful and most desirable destination for travel lovers and photographers.
Places to visit in Ladakh-
1.PANGONG TSO LAKE-
means "High grassland lake" situated at a height of 4,225m in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of 14,270 ft above sea level. This saltwater lake is extends from India to Tibet. Nearly 75 percent part of the lake is in China rest of part is in India which is only 25%.
The pangong TSO lake is high in salinity but still water of the lake is freezes completely during winter months. It is looks enough to paly games like ice hockey and for walk.
The incredible beauty and memorising views of landscape and a dazzling colour variations including turquoise, deep blue water admire the beauty and experience a wonderful time at the lake side away from the hustle and bustle life which is attracts tourists from all over the world.
2.ZANSKAR VALLEY-
This is one of the most isolated and enchanting place in Himalayan region Ladakh . This is a small district in Kargil situated in the eastern part of Ladakh. This valley is also known as Zeher by the locals. It is famous for it's high snow crapped mountain and beautiful surrounding landscape.
This place is famous for adventurious activities like trekking, camping and rock climbing as well Zanskar River is so popular for rafting during the summer season when weather is pleasantly dry and warm.
3. NUBRA VALLEY-
Nubra valley is connected to about 150 km of Leh with Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
This Sanctuary is one of the most famed tourist place in Ladakh for wildlife which is located right in the middle of the snow-capped mountain range. The park is spread over around 3,350sq includes Rumbak, Chang chu Alam, Catchments of Markha, shan sadi this National park is a perfect place for wildlife lovers.park was founded in the year 1981 and was officially declared as national park on 19th of march 1987.
This is a perfect place to enjoy the panoramic view of the entire Leh with Zanskar mountain. The design of this royal palace is based on the Potala palace in Lhasa Tibet. The residence is built from woods,mud,and sand it is depicts medieval Tibetan architecture. From the top of this royalist palace you can take pleasure to experience the authentic glorifying beauty of sunrises and sunsets.
The cuisine of Ladakh is specially knows for it's delightful combination of Tibetan, Chinese,Korean and continental foods and more. Thupka, khambir, momos, Tigmo, mokthuk, paba and tangtur, chang, rosted barley flour, soupy noodles are some top listed famous food of them. One of the common dish of the region is skyu which is a form of pastas made with root veggies like turnip, potatoes, carrots. The best place to try this dish is summer harvest restaurant.
Natives are enjoy many different fairs and festivals and celebrate merrily with each other. In the time of festivals the entire Ladakh transforms into a focal point of culture, festivity, colour, musical, dance performances and recitals performed by various tribes. The mostly papular festival here is Hemis and this festival is lasts for two days and the festival is held in the months of June the festival is also the birth anniversary of the Guru padmasambhava. 
Other important festivals are the Dosmoche festival, Stok guru festival, saka dawa festival, Sindhu darshan festival, yuru kabgayat festival, losar festival, takthok tsechu festival etc.
4. HEMIS NATIONAL PARK-
This park is habitat of many animals like Himalayan Brown Bear, Blue sheep, Eurasian Otter, Ibex, Large eared pika , Tibetan Argali and wolf, Red fox,
woolly hare, Lynx and many others in birds you can spot around Himalayan snow cock,
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Red-billed Chough, Golden eagle and many mores.
5. LEH PALACE-
Things to do in Ladakh-
The beauty of Ladakh is cannot be described in words for sure! This place is just look like situated in out of the world. The place has emerged as a popular tourist destination over the years you must have to experience this place to know about the depth of its memorising beautiful landscape view and mountains ranges it is holds some great surprise for it's visitors and can only be awed and also there are many activities to do in Ladakh from trekking,camping to River rafting. So here are 10 must things to do in Ladakh.
1)See a Magnificent Sky Every Night
2)See the amazing view of the sunset from Shanti Stupa
3)Ride a Two Hump Camel / Bacterian Camel Safari
4)Relax and Rejuvenate by the wanderful and stunning Tso Moriri Lake
5)Drive at the Highest Civilian Motor Road- Khardung La Pass
6)Experience the mind-blowing and Exciting River Rafting in Zanskar River
7)Relish the Mouth-Watering delicious Local Foods
8)Attend the Masked Parade in Hemis Monastery
9)Experience the Thrilling Chadar Trek
10)Bask in the Beauty of the Desert in the Hills- Nubra Valley
Culture-
Ladakhi culture is predominantly influenced by the Buddhism which is clearly visible in the dress,occupation,food, lifestyle, religion of the inhabitants of this region.Ladakh is mainly a Buddhist region. The facial structure of ladakhi people has quite different comparisons of others they has round faces, stubby noes,small eyes. And the peoples are very soft hearted and laborious.
Religion and Language-
Ladakh is also known as "Land of Lamas". The major religion of Ladakh is Buddhism which is more then (77%). And some areas of Ladakh is also dominated by the Christians, Hindus(8%) and Muslims(14%). Buddhism religion which is about spirituality, peace and brotherhood. The culture of Ladakh fully influenced by tibetan because of the region's close proximity with Tibet. Here the mostly usable spoken languages are Balti ( which are supposed to be tibetian dialects) and Ladakhi.
Foods-
Fairs and festivals-
Best time to visit Ladakh-
April to June and September is the best time to travel Ladakh.
